Montsable L’Esprit Reserve Chardonnay

Let’s cut straight to the chase. Quality Chardonnay from Burgundy in France is quite something else – but so is the price! You can expect to fork out $40 to 50 for a decent bottle, pushing it beyond the everyday budgets of most Chardy lovers.

Montsable (pronounced mon-sarb-blur) have taken the Burgundian style (and even experienced Burgundian winemakers!) to the south of France (the Languedoc-Roussillon region to be exact) and produced an elegant style, gently oaked Chardonnay with times on lees for added complexity that gives genuine white Burgundians a run for their money at a price none can touch!

The Monstable label caught the eye of Master of Wine Bob Campbell, who said this recently in The Real Review:

“There appears to have been something of a revolution in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, and I am not referring to winemakers in the south overturning tankers of Spanish wine and demolishing Spanish wines in supermarkets. When I last visited the region I met winemakers who were not content to do things the way they had always done them (it’s called ‘tradition’) but wanted to explore new techniques, mostly in the vineyard, that would revolutionise wine quality.”

“Montsablé appears to have taken a leaf out of the winemaking book in Burgundy by backing off excessive oak influence, putting a strong focus on texture and building complexity with nutty lees contact. The result is deliciously drinkable wine at affordable prices. Both wines are from the hills and chalk-laced soils in the Haute Vallée area of Limoux in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. They have a level of sophistication and pure drinkability that was unknown a decade or so ago.“

This is the 2022 vintage Reserve label Montsable Chardonnay which leans towards more of a Chablis in style with minimal oak and lots of fine citrus and stone fruit flavours in an elegant style.

Produced in the high hills and chalky soils of vineyards nestled in the Haute Vallee area of Limoux in the Languedoc region. Take it to the next dinner party and tell them you spent twice the price! Serve lightly chilled with white meat dishes like roast chicken and grilled fish.